NIWA Bay of Plenty Science & Technology Fair

This major event for the Western Bay of Plenty region is co-ordinated by the Kiwanis Club of Roto Whenua. NIWA is the major sponsor and judging is overseen by members of the Royal Society. Entries are received from schools in Taupo, Reporoa, Rotorua, Tauranga, Katikati and Mount Maunganui.

The Royal Society was founded by Charles II in England in 1660, to promote research in to science and technology. The Royal Society has participated in and funds many research projects in areas of geophysics, astronomy, medicine, biology, chemistry and the establishment of standards in areas of weights and measures. The Royal Society has played a very significant role in the history and development of the science and technology that now dominates modern life.

The Royal Society of New Zealand branches normally coexist with universities or research centres within our larger centres. Membership is open to any person with an interest in science.

From 2015, the Royal Society of New Zealand replaced Realise the Dream with Powering the Potential event. Further information is listed below.

Powering the Potential eventThis exciting national event was launched in December 2015 for forty successful and passionate science students who are in Year 12 and Year 13.

Powering Potential will not only challenge students but will also enhance their problem solving, team building and collaboration skills. They will get to meet and make friends with lots of other like-minded students from all over New Zealand. They will also network and talk with scientists who have had to solve their own problems.

Powering Potential will be inspiring, fun, challenging and empowering. Students that are selected will learn lots about themselves and will be encouraged and mentored to think outside the square so that they will be motivated, divergent thinkers in the future.

Powering Potential will take place in Wellington in December 2017.

Goals of Powering Potential

To inspire participants to be catalysts for positive change in the future.

To empower students to realise their potential contribution and participation in the sciences.

Eligibility criteria for Powering PotentialThe Powering Potential programme is for New Zealand students in Year 12 and Year 13 who are passionate about science. Students are ﻿required﻿ to be New Zealand citizens or hold permanent New Zealand residency.

Demonstrating a passion for scienceThere are a number of ways a student can demonstrate their passion for science:

By being a high-achieving student studying a majority of science subjects, intending to study science and technology at tertiary level and contributing to their school or community.

All students who apply for Powering Potential should be achieving merit to excellence academically, be studying at least two and preferably three science subjects at school and be seriously considering studying some area of the sciences at tertiary level.

Nomination by schoolsOnly schools can nominate students for Powering Potential. Each school can make a maximum of three nominations. Year 12 or 13 students who win major awards at regional science and technology fairs must be nominated by their school.

N.B: The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize is for a Year 12 or Year 13 student. It is for an individual student only.

All information about nominating and what the student is required to do together with closing dates are available here.

Sponsors:

NIWA is a major sponsor of the Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Nelson and Bay of Plenty Science and Technology Fairs. This sponsorship is part of a long term commitment to enhancing science and technology for young New Zealanders. As part of this commitment, NIWA also sponsors the NIWA Discovery Room, an interactive marine discovery centre at Kelly Tarleton's Underwater World.